Life and Works of Rizal

Review all questions and their correct answers.

Question 1

Who was Rizal's first and most important teacher?

His father, Francisco Mercado
His brother, Paciano
A private tutor in Biñan
His mother, Teodora Alonso

Question 2

The Rizal family belonged to which social class in Calamba?

Indio
Insulares
Principalía
Peninsulares

Question 3

What was the occupation of Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado Rizal?

A government official
A doctor
A tenant-farmer on a Dominican-owned estate
A Spanish friar

Question 4

Who was Rizal's only brother who greatly influenced him and supported his education abroad?

Jose Burgos
Marcelo H. del Pilar
Andres Bonifacio
Paciano Rizal

Question 5

Rizal's paternal ancestor, Domingo Lam-co, was a Chinese immigrant. What does this signify about his heritage?

That Rizal was purely of Spanish descent.
That Rizal's family was not native to the Philippines.
That Rizal's lineage was a mix of Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and Filipino blood.
That Rizal exclusively identified with his Chinese heritage.

Question 6

What historical event involved the execution of three Filipino priests and deeply influenced Rizal’s nationalist consciousness?

The opening of the Suez Canal
The Cavite Mutiny and GOMBURZA execution
The establishment of La Solidaridad
The Battle of Mactan

Question 7

To whom did Rizal dedicate his second novel, El Filibusterismo?

His mother, Teodora Alonso
Josephine Bracken
The Filipino people
The three martyred priests (GOMBURZA)

Question 8

Who were the Ilustrados in 19th-century Philippines?

Spanish-born residents of the Philippines
The Filipino revolutionary fighters
The wealthy, educated Filipino middle class
The ruling class of Spanish friars

Question 9

Which factor was NOT a common abuse by Spanish colonial authorities during Rizal’s time?

Forced labor (polo y servicios)
Freedom of the press
Land grabbing
Racial discrimination

Question 10

What major infrastructure project shortened travel time between the Philippines and Spain, fostering the rise of the Ilustrados?

The building of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon
The opening of the Suez Canal
The construction of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
The creation of the Pan-Philippine Highway

Question 11

The political instability in Spain during the 19th century led to what outcome in the Philippines?

Consistent and stable colonial policies
Increased autonomy for the Filipinos
Inconsistent colonial policies and frequent changes in leadership
The peaceful transfer of power to Filipino leaders

Question 12

At what age did Rizal witness the GOMBURZA execution, an event that awakened his nationalist consciousness?

Question 13

Rizal pursued his medical studies at the University of Santo Tomas primarily to:

Become a famous doctor in Spain
Cure his mother's failing eyesight
Follow his brother Paciano's advice
Gain prestige in society

Question 14

In which school did Rizal excel, consistently ranking as the top student and graduating with highest honors?

University of Santo Tomas
Universidad Central de Madrid
University of Heidelberg
Ateneo Municipal de Manila

Question 15

Why did Rizal feel that the atmosphere at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) was suffocating?

The curriculum was too easy for him
He experienced discrimination from the Dominican professors
He did not have any friends
The school was too far from his home in Calamba

Question 16

Where did Rizal complete his medical studies and also earn a Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters?

Paris, France
Heidelberg, Germany
Ghent, Belgium
Universidad Central de Madrid, Spain

Question 17

Rizal specialized in what field of medicine while training in Europe?

Cardiology
Pediatrics
Ophthalmology
Dermatology

Question 18

What degree did Rizal graduate with from the Ateneo Municipal de Manila?

Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor of Arts
Licentiate in Philosophy
Master of Science

Question 19

Besides his formal university studies, Rizal's education in Europe was broadened by:

Working as a farmer
His extensive travels and observations of European societies
Serving in the Spanish military
Engaging in business with local merchants

Question 20

What was the main argument in Rizal’s essay, "The Indolence of the Filipinos"?

Filipinos are inherently lazy
The supposed laziness of Filipinos was a result of the Spanish colonial climate
Filipinos should work harder to please the Spanish
Indolence was a virtue in tropical climates

Question 21

What was the primary purpose of Rizal's annotation of Morga's Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas?

To correct Morga's spelling errors
To show that Filipinos had an advanced culture before the Spanish arrived
To praise the Spanish for civilizing the Philippines
To translate the book into Tagalog

Question 22

What did Rizal predict in his essay, "The Philippines a Century Hence"?

The Philippines would remain a Spanish colony forever
The end of Spanish rule and the potential rise of American influence
The economic collapse of the Philippines
The complete assimilation of Filipino culture into Spanish culture

Question 23

By republishing Morga's Sucesos, Rizal aimed to counter which colonial narrative?

That Filipinos were naturally gifted artists
That the Spanish brought economic prosperity
That Filipinos were "savages" who were civilized by Spain
That the Philippines was a barren, worthless land

Question 24

Rizal's main purpose for his travels in Europe was to:

Escape his family obligations
Become a European citizen
Observe European societies and gather knowledge to help his country
Simply to tour and see the world

Question 25

Where did Rizal painstakingly copy and annotate Morga's 17th-century work?

The libraries of Heidelberg
The British Museum in London
The archives in Madrid
A printing press in Berlin

Question 26

Rizal's main argument in his major essays was rooted in:

A call for violent revolution
Advocacy for complete surrender to Spain
A deep historical analysis to counter colonial prejudice
A belief in the superiority of European culture

Question 27

Who is the main character of Noli Me Tángere, representing the idealistic, reformist Ilustrado?

Simoun
Elias
Padre Damaso
Crisostomo Ibarra

Question 28

What is the English translation of "Noli Me Tángere"?

The Reign of Greed
Touch Me Not
My Last Farewell
The Social Cancer

Question 29

Which novel has a dark, angry, and pessimistic tone, exploring the path to revolution?

Noli Me Tángere
Mi Último Adiós
El Filibusterismo
Sa Aking mga Kabata

Question 30

Who is Simoun in El Filibusterismo?

A new character who opposes Ibarra
The son of Crisostomo Ibarra
Crisostomo Ibarra's new identity as a wealthy jeweler
A Spanish friar who supports the revolution

Question 31

What was the primary goal of Noli Me Tángere?

To start a violent revolution immediately
To awaken the Filipino consciousness to the injustices of the colonial system
To entertain the Spanish officials
To praise the work of the friars

Question 32

El Filibusterismo was published in 1891 in which city?

Berlin, Germany
Paris, France
Ghent, Belgium
Madrid, Spain

Question 33

The theme of Noli Me Tángere is often described as exposing the "social cancer" of Philippine society. This refers to:

A literal disease outbreak
The abuses of the friars and the colonial government
The laziness of the Filipinos
The economic poverty of the country

Question 34

Which was NOT a core goal of the Propaganda Movement?

Representation in the Spanish Cortes
Secularization of parishes
Immediate independence from Spain
Equality for Filipinos and Spaniards

Question 35

What was La Solidaridad?

A revolutionary army
The official newspaper of the Propaganda Movement
A secret society founded by Rizal
A political party in Spain

Question 36

Who were the three key figures, known as the "Triumvirate," of the Propaganda Movement?

Rizal, Bonifacio, and Aguinaldo
Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora
Rizal, del Pilar, and Lopez Jaena
Ibarra, Elias, and Simoun

Question 37

What was the primary method used by the Propaganda Movement to campaign for change?

Peaceful writing and advocacy for reform
Secret military training
Violent uprisings and revolts
Economic sabotage

Question 38

What was La Liga Filipina, founded by Rizal?

A revolutionary government
A literary society for poets
A civic society for mutual protection and promotion of education
A Spanish political party in the Philippines

Question 39

The arrest of Rizal and the dissolution of La Liga Filipina directly led to:

The success of the reform movement
The granting of representation in the Spanish Cortes
The founding of the revolutionary Katipunan by Andres Bonifacio
Rizal being elected as a government official

Question 40

Why was Rizal exiled to Dapitan?

For practicing medicine without a license
For losing a debate against a Spanish friar
For founding La Liga Filipina, which was seen as a threat
For publishing El Filibusterismo

Question 41

Which of the following was NOT an accomplishment of Rizal during his exile in Dapitan?

He established a school for boys
He designed and built a water supply system
He led a military revolt against the local Spanish garrison
He collected scientific specimens and practiced medicine

Question 42

Who was the Irish woman who fell in love with Rizal and lived with him in Dapitan?

Leonor Rivera
Segunda Katigbak
Josephine Bracken
Nellie Boustead

Question 43

How long was Rizal's exile in Dapitan?

Six months
One year
Four years
Ten years

Question 44

Rizal's time in Dapitan showed that he was a man of many talents. Which role did he NOT take on in the community?

Doctor
Teacher
Engineer
Spanish Governor

Question 45

Several new species of animals were named after Rizal, discovered during his scientific work in Dapitan. This highlights his role as a:

Politician
Novelist
Scientist
Priest

Question 46

What was Rizal accused of by the Spanish authorities, leading to his trial?

Theft and robbery
Practicing illegal medicine
Rebellion, sedition, and illegal association
Spying for the Americans

Question 47

Rizal’s trial is described as a "moro-moro" or sham trial because:

It was held in public
He was given a Spanish lawyer
His guilt was predetermined and he was denied a fair chance to defend himself
The trial lasted for several months

Question 48

Where was Rizal executed on December 30, 1896?

Fort Santiago
Dapitan
Calamba, Laguna
Bagumbayan Field (now Rizal Park)

Question 49

What is the title of the famous farewell poem Rizal wrote on the eve of his execution?

Noli Me Tángere
El Filibusterismo
Mi Último Adiós
The Philippines a Century Hence

Question 50

What was the immediate effect of Rizal's death?

It ended the Philippine Revolution
It fueled the flames of the revolution and strengthened Filipino resolve
It led to Spain granting all of the reforms
It was largely ignored by the Filipino people

Question 51

Rizal was on his way to serve as a military doctor in which country when he was arrested?

Spain
Mexico
Cuba
Germany

Question 52

As the National Hero of the Philippines, Rizal is primarily a symbol of:

Violent and bloody revolution
Submission to colonial rule
Peaceful resistance, intellectual excellence, and patriotism
Economic prosperity and wealth

Question 53

Even though Rizal did not explicitly lead the revolution, he was convicted as its leader. Why?

He provided the weapons for the Katipunan.
The Spanish believed his writings inspired the revolution.
He confessed to being the leader.
There was concrete evidence of his leadership role.

Question 54

What is the most significant legacy of Jose Rizal?

His medical inventions
His architectural designs in Dapitan
His writings that critiqued societal ills and inspired a nation
His collection of butterfly specimens

Question 55

The charge of "illegal association" against Rizal referred to his involvement in founding what organization?

The Katipunan
La Solidaridad
La Liga Filipina
The GOMBURZA

Question 56

Rizal's final act of defiance and patriotism was:

Trying to escape before his execution
Cursing the firing squad
Writing his farewell poem, Mi Último Adiós
Asking for a blindfold